The Preachers Son by Carl Weber Read Free Book Online Page A

glass.
    “Look, I can’t let you pay for this stuff without paying you back. Is there any way for me to get in touch with you so I can give you back your money?”
    He patted his shirt pocket impatiently then checked his pants pocket, pulling out some kind of postcard or party flyer. “I don’t have any business cards on me and I’m headed over to Brooklyn right now. Just forget the money, sister, aw’ight? It’s no big deal.”
    He turned to the door and I grabbed his arm.
    “It’s a big deal to me,” I said firmly. “I don’t need charity. I work for a living.”
    “You sure are persistent, aren’t you?”
    “I usually get what I want,” I told him with a smile. I was hoping that he might at least look at my titties or my ass or something to show he had some interest, but the way he was acting I was starting to think he might be gay.
    “I’m starting to believe you. You think I can have my arm back?”
    “Oh, sorry.” I gave him an embarrassed look as I let him go. I’d completely forgotten that I was holding on to his arm.
    “Okay, look, if you really wanna pay me back, I’m gonna be at the African Poetry Theater tomorrow night. You can bring it to me there.” He handed me the postcard he was carrying and I read the bold type that announced an open mike poetry reading.
    “Okay, I’ll see you then. I like poetry.” I smiled.
    He nodded then motioned toward the door with his hand as if to say, After you . I took his cue and exited. It was nice to be treated like a lady for once, even if he didn’t seem interested in me. That feeling didn’t last long, though, because when I got outside, Joe-Joe and his cronies were still hanging around.
    “So, what was that shit you was talking a little while ago?” Joe-Joe asked as he approached me.
    I was about to tell Joe-Joe not to start no shit, but before I could speak, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome stepped up and got in Joe-Joe’s face.
    “Yo, my man! Is there a problem?” Once Joe-Joe realized I was with him, it was a wrap.
    “Nah, man, no problem. No problem at all,” Joe-Joe explained. He turned around and started talking to his boys like nothing had ever happened.
    “Thanks. I guess that’s twice you saved me this morning, and I don’t even know your name,” I told him as we walked toward the corner.
    “Oh, my bad. I’m sorry. My mom taught me better than that. My name’s Dante.” He stuck out his hand.
    “Well, your mother sounds like someone I’d like to meet, Dante.” I took his hand. “Everyone calls me Tanisha.”
    “Tanisha, huh? All right, Ms. Tanisha, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” He smiled and I saw his pearly white teeth for the first time.
    “The pleasure’s all mine.” I blushed and shook his hand. We walked up the block a little ways toward my house and he stopped in front of a pretty silver SUV. “So, Dante, how come I’ve never seen you before?”
    “Probably because I don’t hang out around here too tough. I was just dropping off a friend up the block. Figured I’d get a sandwich.”
    Lucky me , I thought.
    “So this friend, are you and her close?” I know it was bold, but I wanted to know if he had a woman.
    He stared at me and laughed as he shook his head. I knew that look. It was the same look I gave guys when they came up with corny-ass lines. “Yeah, actually we are pretty close. But she is a he, and he’s my best friend, not my girlfriend.”
    “Oh,” I gave him a lighthearted laugh. “So you don’t have a girlfriend or a boyfriend?”
    “I don’t have a girlfriend,” he said calmly then raised his voice. “And I damn sure don’t have a boyfriend.”
    “What about kids?”
    “No kids. Why you asking me all these questions anyway? You with the police? If you are, I want a lawyer.”
    Oops. Time to chill. I knew he was joking, but maybe I had pushed a little too far. Some brothers don’t like such personal questions right off the bat, and his expression and comment let me know he was